Download PDF: CERT General Minutes 6.23.25_
BBV-CERT General Meeting Minutes
June 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Masonic Lodge
Present: Ed Williams, Bob Grimes, Norma Grimes, Jim & Marie Smith, Johnny Wells, Andrea Gomez, Michael Eichenlaub, Maria Laverty, Ian Thome, Judy Whitaker, Susan Smith, Gayle Venegas, David Venegas, Susan Antrillo, Jim Hamilton, Char Scott, and Steve Scott. Guests: William Kahn, Al Cummings
Call to Order: Vice President Bob Grimes called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: The flag salute was led by Bob.
911 Call Assignment: Susan Smith agreed to make the 911 call if there was an emergency.
Meeting Minutes: Board approved minutes were distributed electronically by Secretary Norma Grimes.
Treasurer Report: Ed reported we received 7¢ interest in savings and 2¢ interest in checking. Expenditures: $10.76 for kid’s safety whistles, $15.46 for printing, $200 donation to Masonic Lodge (for facility use). Balance in checking $3,762.07; in savings $1,801.48. Total: $5,563.55.
Committee Reports:
- Fundraising Committee– Marie shared that dates are set for Maggio’s on July 9 and Sonora Cantina on Sept. 8. She and Jim will begin approaching merchants for donations for the drawings at Sonora. Volunteers will be needed that day to seat guests, sell tickets and notify winners of the drawings.
Fundraiser ideas: Johnny announced that the Masonic Lodge, as their community outreach, is willing to donate use of the facility, including the kitchen, and pancake mix for a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner fundraiser for CERT. We would need to provide people to set-up, cook, serve, and tear-down. The board will discuss this proposal further.
- Membership – Johnny is creating a recruiting YouTube video and invited CERT members to share about their experience with BBV CERT and its importance to the community. Additional video of meetings, training events, volunteer activities, etc., will be included. The video will be accessed with a QR code.
- Training –The June 16-20 training was cancelled due to low turnout. A weekend training was set for Friday, July 18, 5-10 p.m and Saturday, July 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The disaster scenario exercise is tentatively planned for Monday, July 28, at the fire station and will include all CERT members. This would take the place of the July general meeting.
New Business:
- Tour De Big Bear Update & Theme –The board proposed using the Flintstone theme for our aid station in Snow Valley (Bear Rock). This will be a competition with the other aid stations. There will be a replica of the Flintstone car, designed and built by Marie and Jim Smith. Caveman and woman costumes will be researched by Norma.
- Election of Vice President and Secretary — As there were no other candidates, the members elected George Muller as Vice President and Andrea Gomez as secretary by a unanimous vote of acclamation. Their two-year term of office begins July 1, 2025 and ends June 30, 2027.
- Recruiting opportunities at the Farmers Market on Friday Nights, 3-8 p.m., and the Enchanted Garden Boutique, June 28, Veterans Park, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. were announced. Volunteers were urged to sign up.
Old Business:
- CPR & Advanced First Aid Certification update – As we have not been successful in securing instruction for training for BBV CERT, the board proposed funding instructor training for someone on our team. We have some of the necessary equipment for training. A motion was made and seconded for a BBV CERT member to take the First Aid/CPR/AED instructor training and for CERT to pay the fee not to exceed $300. The motion was seconded and passed. It was noted that Susan Elliott is willing to take the training.
- CERT ID’s and background checks Johnny gave Susan the contact info for Ken Witte, a CERT official in Arrowhead, who wants to help expedite the process of obtaining our ID’s.
Upcoming Meetings, Training & Other Events:
- Maggio’s Pizza Fundraiser, Wednesday, July 9
- CERT Basic Training Course July 18th, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm & July 19th, 8:00 to 4:00 pm
- July Board Meeting TBD
- General Meeting–Disaster Scenario Exercise, July 28, TBD
- Tour de Big Bear, August 2, 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Snow Valley
- Sonora Cantina Taco Fundraiser, Monday, Sept. 8
- Basic Training, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 6-10 p.m., Masonic Lodge
- Field Day, Oct 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Paradise Yard
- Halloween in the Village, October 31, 4 to 7 p.m.
Recruiting Opportunities
- Enchanted Garden Boutique, June 28, 7:00 – 4:30, Veterans Park
- Antique Car Show, August 9, Bartlett Parking Lot, BBL
Meeting Adjournment: Following a backpack check, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma Grimes, Secretary